If you search for any news about Kevin Rosier's passing over
the last week, all you read are headlines such as "One of the first men to
set foot in a cage to participate in no holds barred combat has passed". It
seems like the media only want him to be remembered as a veteran pioneer of MMA.
However, Kevin didn't make his name in MMA. Kevin made his name as a
Professional Kickboxer who once done had a "combined" career record
(Amateur & Pro) of *66-8 with all 66 of his
wins coming by way of KO/TKO. Not to mention the number of titles he won which
included...

1987 United States Kung-Fu Karate National No-Rules Tournament Champion.

1989 All Japan World Champion

3 Time WKA World Super Heavyweight Champion.

1990 ISKA North American Super Heavyweight Champion.

1990 WKA World Super Heavyweight Champion (above the waist).

1994 WKKC World Super Heavyweight Champion

(*) Some sources say his record was 50-3 with
42 Ko's, but who knows for sure...

On April 14, 2015 in
Murfreesboro, Tennessee at only 53 years old, Kevin Rosier left us all
following a severe heart attack."He's one
of God's Champions now..."January 6, 1962 - April
13, 2015

He was not just a fighter in the ring though. He was a military
veteran who spent much of his early years living in upstate New York. He began
his martial arts training at the Boys Club in East Aurora, New York. He earned
his first black belt from Sensei William James Gallant. Since then, he
traveled the world fighting in martial arts and professional boxing tournaments.
All the while Rosier was working as a bodyguard for entertainers like
Rick James, Billy Idol and Debbie Harry. Nightclubs like Studio
54, Limelight and CBGB frequently retained his services as a
bouncer. As a Professional Kickboxer Kevin was no small fighter.
Standing 6'4" and weighing in at about 285 lbs he came to the ring with a
lot of power.

As noted above, many remember Kevin for his appearance in 1993 in
the very first -original- UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) event at
McNichols Arena in Denver, Colorado on November 12, 1993.
In his first MMA bout he faced and defeated Zane Frazier by TKO at 4:20
of round number 1 in the first round of the Tournament. In round 2 of the
tournament he was defeated by French Savate/Samboo Champion Gerard Gordeau
of Amsterdam, Holland. Gordeau went on to lose to Royce Gracie
by submission. Although he was not a big champion in mma, he clearly was in
Kickboxing. Sadly people remember him as an mma fighter, but SHOULD remember him
as a Champion Kickboxer instead.

In his travels he trained with the best in the world, earning
multiple high-degree black belts and red sashes in a variety of styles. He was
always one of those fighters who would accept a fight under any rule style, any
time. From Karate to MMA, Boxing to Kickboxing, Rosier fought it all.

Sadly, Kevin's later years were not so good to him. He had been
suffering from longtime health problems, and the complications of a lifetime
spent in combat sports.

However, more so, this is the kind of guy Kevin was to
those around him... In Art Davie's book Is This Legal? (Davie
created the UFC) Davie recalls the character who was Rosier;

"Rosier was the first fighter to arrive at the UFC After
Party, and he was wearing a circa-1975 tux, complete with huge flower
cumberbund. He looked as joyous as if he had won the tournament and greeted Davie
with a huge hug. "He then proclaimed he was my long-lost son, and that now
he was going to call me Dad. Rosier then excused himself, and said
he wanted to go looking for John McCarthy, so that he could challenge him to a
pizza-eating contest. Theres no word on who won that pizza-eating
contest, but Rosier went on to fight six more MMA bouts from 1994 to 2000.
Between 1989 and 2001 he had 25 professional boxing matches as well. Another
pioneering MMA promoter, Monte Cox, recalled his experiences with Rosier in a
post on The Underground Forum: Kevin fought for me twice back in 1998, taking
on Dan Severn. After the first loss in 53 seconds, Kevin came to my room where I
was talking with John Perretti. Kevin says OK, he out-wrestled me. If I
gotta go to the Miletich school and learn wrestling for a week or two I will do
it. Peretti and I laughed and John said, Lets see, Severn is
a collegiate All-American and Olympic alternate who has been wrestling for about
30 years yep, Id say a week or two at the most. Kevin began
working on his takedown defense and called me to fight Severn again. He swore he
would do better, and he did, lasting 7 more seconds. Afterwards, he said Monte,
you had to see the improvement, right?

Kevin was fun to be around and always made people
laugh. Its sad his life came to an end so soon. He will be missed..

From all of us here at the IKF,
we know you are resting well now Champ... Because as we all know... You're one of God's Champions now..."

FIRST UFC - YOUTUBEWe understand Kevin's
services were held in New York. for those looking to share their last thoughts
with the family a Guest Book can be found by clicking
HERE.

By the time many associated with the IKF
saw him fight, he was not at his best. Being stopped by "Mean"
Mike Labree back in May of 1999. Rosier and Labree kicked off a Nationwide
LIVE PPV event called "MASS DESTRUCTION". Their bout was for
the vacant IKF Pro Full Contact Rules
Super Heavyweight title.
Rosier of Buffalo, New York, USA entered the fight with a record of 36-4
with 36 KO's and Labree of Roscoe, Illinois, USA met him with a record
of 50-2 with 42 KO's. It would have been better to see these two meet in their
prime. Rosier came in heavier than had ever fought which played a part
in his endurance.

However LaBree came in trimmed up and ready to Rumble.
The two went toe to toe for 9 rounds exchanging blow after blow. At 26 seconds
into round 10, LaBree caught
Rosier with a short left to the head and Rosier went down to his
knees. At that point, referee Jon Schorle put a stop to the bout even
though it appeared that Rosier was more tired than hurt. Rosier
respectfully accepted Schorle's decision. There was talk of a rematch
but it never happened.

After that event the future of these two took different paths,
but one path they took was the same. Neither were paid for that fight when
Promoters Scott Haddad and
Phil
Malonson stiffed everyone. You can read all about it by clicking
HERE. The
result of this event put into place the IKF'snew rule for Pro Promoters
where all purses need to be paid before the fight happens in Cash or Cashiers
Checks. This new rule prevented such a thing from ever happening again on an
IKF Sanctioned event.

Labree went on to defend his title in what was to be
his retirement fight on February 3rd, 2001 in Hayward, Wisconsin where he won
with a 3rd round TKO over number 1 contender, George Randolph of
Glenville, West Virginia, USA. After the fight Labree Voluntarily
Retired his title and from kickboxing at the age of 38. However, in September,
2007, LaBree came out of retirement and knocked out Milwaukee's Horace
"The Real Deal" Croft in the third round of a scheduled
seven-round main event. This fight was LaBree's second since ending a
five-year retirement.
Labree has announced he wants a shot at another Kickboxing title, but no
formal plans have been made. Who knows, maybe we will see a Rosier-Labree
"2"?

As for Kevin, life taught him a lot after the fight as
he faced ups in downs in his personal life that found him dealing with various
issues. However, as of today, Kevin in a way has, "Found
himself" again. He's back living in Buffalo New York and trying to give
back to others, teaching martial arts. As he reflects back he is gracious for
what life has delt him in his past as well as his present. Few here really know
what Kevin Rosier has accomplished over his career so lets take a look
back.

Kevin began his martial arts training at the Boys Club
in East Aurora, New York. He earned his first black belt from Sensei William
James Gallant. Since then, he traveled the world fighting in martial arts
and professional boxing tournaments and amassed an impressive professional
kickboxing record. As a Professional Kickboxer Kevin was no small
fighter. Standing 6'4" and weighing in at about 285 lbs he came to the ring
with a lot of power. His career record (Amateur & Pro) was 66-8
with all 66 of his wins coming by way of KO/TKO.

In his first MMA bout he faced and defeated Zane Frazier
by TKO at 4:20 of round number 1 in the first round of the Tournament.

In round 2 of the tournament he was defeated by French
Savate/Samboo Champion Gerard Gordeau of Amsterdam, Holland. Gordeau
went on to lose to Royce Gracie by submission.

Although he was not a big champion in mma, he clearly was in
Kickboxing. Sadly people remember him as an mma fighter, but SHOULD
remember him as a Champion Kickboxer instead.

1987 United States Kung-Fu Karate National No-Rules Tournament Champion.

1989 All Japan World Champion

3 Time WKA World Super Heavyweight Champion.

1990 ISKA North American Super Heavyweight Champion.

1990 WKA World Super Heavyweight Champion (above the waist).

1994 WKKC World Super Heavyweight Champion

In his travels he trained with the best in the world, earning
multiple high-degree black belts and red sashes in a variety of styles.

Kevin was always one of those fighters who would accept
a fight under any rule style, any time. From Karate to MMA, Boxing to
Kickboxing, Rosier fought it all. in fact, in a recent phone
conversation with Kevin, he said he would love to fight again. He says
he's in far better shape then the "Mass Destruction" event,
and is hungry to jump back in the ring again. So if LaBree is serious,
who knows, maybe we will see that Rosier Vs LaBree "2"
after all.

________________________________________________________________

UPDATE: 12-13-10

On this day, Kevin contacted IKF
Preisdent Steve Fossum to update him of his current condition. He was in
the Veterans Hospital in Buffalo NY awaiting Heart Surgery. As a Veteran, he was
also dealing with PSD.

His passion for the sport is still as strong as ever. So strong that he
expressed to Fossum of his interest to fight again. Fossum asked him
Why? NOT because Fossum didn't think he would do well, but instead, as
Fossum explained,

"With a background and history such as Kevin's, What does he have
to prove to ANYONE? Kevin was one of the Pioneers of this sport that EVERYONE
should look up to. EVERYONE! He not only defended his country for us but he
defended his WKA Title something like 8-9 times. VERY FEW Fighters go out of
their way to not only defend their titles today, but he also put up the money to
promote the event so he could keep fighting. He didn't just bring in bums to
fight either. He always brought in the top challengers to continue to prove
himself over and over again to his peers. Champions like Kevin don't have to
prove anything more to ANYONE! He has already 'Walked the Walk' and made his
place in the history of this sport."

We look forward to seeing what is ahead in Champion Kevin Rosier's
Future.

LAST KNOWN PHONE NUMBER AS OF 2008If
anyone is interested, or if you just want to say hello to one of the former
greats in the fight sports, Kevin can be contacted at (716) 854-3756.

________________________________________________________________

UPDATE: 8-1-2013

Kevin RosierRetired Fighter and
BodyguardFace in the Crowd by JOEL RICE - nashvillescene.com

Kevin Rosier is sitting in a white rocking chair in front of
The Manor at Steeplechase, a retirement community in Cool Springs. It's a rather
unremarkable senior-citizen scene, save for one striking incongruity: Kevin
Rosier isn't exactly a senior citizen. In fact, at 51, he happens to be one of
the Manor's youngest residents  a role he mischievously relishes. ("How
are you, gorgeous?" he calls out to an octogenarian doddering past him.)

William Blake tells us that the road to excess leads to the
palace of wisdom. In Rosier's case it also leads to The Manor at Steeplechase
and that row of white rocking chairs.

Born to a French-Canadian farming clan in upstate New York,
Rosier started studying "the sweet science" of boxing at a Boys &
Girls Club. By 16 he was sufficiently intimidating to be hired as a bouncer at
some notorious Buffalo nightspots. After shuttling between aunts and uncles for
most of his adolescence, he began a noted fighting career that included boxing,
karate, Muay Thai, kickboxing and mixed martial arts.

"I had a lot of heart," Rosier says. "I did them
all."

Some of his fights were mainstream affairs. But much of his
career is a blur of cages in Moscow, darkened pits in Thailand and
Yakuza-infested dens of iniquity in Japan. (One MMA bout was dubbed "Mayhem
in Mississippi.") Rosier also fought in the very first UFC championship in
1993, and was featured in a recent Sports Illustrated piece on the event.

"I paid my dues. I paved the way. Now it's a billionaire
industry," he said.

All the while Rosier was working as a bodyguard for
entertainers like Rick James ("He was always nice to me"), Billy Idol
("He was an idiot") and Debbie Harry ("Let's just say she enjoyed
life, and leave it at that"). Nightclubs like Studio 54, Limelight and CBGB
frequently retained his services as a bouncer.

"I prefer the term 'quality-control engineer,' " he
says.

Though Rosier cannot always recall the who/what/when of a life
spent in the ring, the body has a way of failing to forget. Open-heart surgery
and a nearly fatal fall while already in intensive care are only half the story.

"I'm lucky to be alive," he says.

Having spent most of the past decade in and out of VA
hospitals, the white rocking chair here in suburban Nashville may hold a certain
uneasy appeal. "When the party's over, the party's over," he says.